Deadly Intuition(30)
James passed the laptop over to Finn and then focused on the dark-haired reporter. “Sit down. I’ll get you some coffee.”
Sophie did as instructed, thanking James when he pressed a warm mug into her hands. “I didn’t know who else to bring it to. I thought about the cops, but I didn’t think they would do anything.”
“Even if they did, it would take weeks,” Finn said, focusing on her laptop. “It’s this top one?”
“Yeah,” Sophie said. “Don’t read the others. They might be private.”
Finn grinned. “I’ll try to refrain from going through your personal stuff.”
Sophie glanced around the room. “Where is Grady?”
“He’s at home,” James replied. “He had a late night. I don’t expect him for a few hours.”
“Oh.” Sophie looked disappointed. “It was stupid to think he’d be here.”
James looked her over, considering. “He stopped back by last night. After he made sure you made it home safely, I mean.”
Sophie shifted uncomfortably. “He did?”
“Yeah. He was … kind of keyed up.”
Finn glanced between Sophie and James curiously. “Why was he worked up? Was his hair not bouncy enough?”
James shrugged. “He just likes a mystery.”
“He was always like that,” Finn agreed. “This might take some time. It looks like a generic Yahoo email.”
“Can you track it?” Sophie asked.
“Yeah. We have a guy.”
“You have a guy?”
“A computer guy,” Finn said. “He won’t be up yet. He’s a night owl.”
“I’ll call him,” James said. “Why don’t you go back to Sophie’s place and make sure the security there is up to snuff.”
“My place?” Sophie balked. “You don’t think someone would really come there, do you?”
“We’re just being careful,” James said. “Besides … um … I thought you might want to change into something else.”
Sophie glanced down at her clothes, cringing when she realized she was still in her sleep pants and T-shirt. She hadn’t even bothered to put on a bra. “Oh, crap. You guys must think I’m a total freak.”
James shook his head. “No. I think you were just surprised and did what came naturally.”
“I’m usually not like this,” Sophie apologized. “I just … after the shooting and everything … .”
“It’s not a big deal,” James said. “Finn will follow you to your house and make sure that it’s secure.” James turned to his brother. “If anything needs to be updated, call Stu and get him on it today.”
Finn nodded, easing out from behind James’ desk. “You got it.”
“When Grady comes in, I’ll get him up to speed,” James said. “Why don’t you stay at Sophie’s until you hear from us, just to make sure?”
“I’ll take one of our laptops and keep running searches there,” Finn replied. “It’s no big deal.”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
GRADY FOUND Mandy and James together in his brother’s office when he arrived to work a little after ten. They were bent over a computer, their faces serious.
“What’s up?”
Mandy exchanged a wary look with James. “We were just looking at Sophie’s computer.”
Grady was instantly on alert. “What do you mean? Why would you have Sophie’s computer?”
James told him about Sophie’s early morning visit, a tale that set Grady’s teeth on edge. “Why didn’t she call me?”
“She thought you were here.”
“Why didn’t you call me?” Grady pressed.
“I thought maybe you needed some sleep,” James replied pointedly. “You were up late last night.”
“I’m the one who brought her in,” Grady said, fighting to tamp down his anger. “She’s my responsibility.”
Mandy raised her eyebrows. “You mean you like her.”
“Mandy,” James warned. “Don’t.”
“What did he tell you?” Grady exploded.
Mandy took an involuntary step back. “Nothing.”
“Then why do you think I like her?”
“Because I have eyes.”
“Grady, I didn’t tell her what you and I talked about last night,” James said. “That was between you and me.”
Grady was flustered. “Then why would Mandy think that I like Sophie? That seems like a really random jump.”
“Because you’re acting like a crazy man,” James said. “Even before today, though, she told me you liked her. She told me yesterday after watching you with her for five minutes. She’s a woman. They have a feel for these things.”